The Inkling: Renee Rochelle

Author, activist and entrepreneur, Renee Rochelle

Reads & Resilience- Share one wonder woman’s road of discovery & recovery.

Meet Renee Rochelle. A local lady of literacy and life lessons. Channeling strength into her stories, this author leaves her legacy on the pages for us to discover. Tap in as we chat about her inspiring journey and worldview.

Connecticut native author Renee Rochelle had first hands at hard work ethics and resilience from her youth. Raised by military parents, the writer remembers the grounding and grateful experiences from her childhood. “At age 13, I moved to St. Louis where my dad’s from.”, shares Renee. “We lived in Kinloch. They bussed us to McCluer North where I graduated. I loved growing up there. We slept with our doors unlocked because everybody knew us.”

Growing up, the 53 yr. old literature lover spent much time around her aunt who was a writer. “When I was a little girl, my Aunt Barbara really made me curious about it. Before she started writing, she was always into books, and my mother was always encouraging us to read.”, she shares. “There were times when my sister and I didn’t have a tv because my mom went through phases where she felt tv wasn’t good for us. So, all we had was books. It was a nice escape from things going on in my family at the time.” She also admired the late Song of Solomon and Beloved author, Toni Morrison.

Rochelle went on to graduate from STLCC at Florissant Valley and then Webster University with her B.A. in Communications. In September of 2012, the author published her first novel, Single. “It started off as like a journal.”, explains Renee. “All of a sudden I just wanted to keep going.” Rochelle released her second book, Girlfriend in January of 2014. “After that one, everybody was like, you got to do a part 2, you can’t leave us hanging.”, she laughs.

The wife and mother of two also released books The History of Me and How to live above poverty level, which are all available worldwide where books are sold. “The History of Me is a book about the migration of black people all over the world from Africa.”, she explains. “It talks about our contributions and history, and it touches on slavery, but it’s not focused on it. My last book (How to live above poverty level) talks about how to budget, career paths, and investments. It gets you geared up.” Rochelle is also the previous owner of a vintage retail shop, Fancy Doll House. She is also a courageous breast cancer survivor. “When I was 16 in high school, I started getting involved in protests. They wouldn’t get updated history books. As far as black history, it was only Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King.”, shares Renee. “I was infuriated. I had a sit in, and they called my dad. I told them I wanted updated books, or a mandatory black history course for the students to take.”, Since then, Rochelle takes pride in black history, politics, and storytelling of legacy to the heart.

Currently, the self-published author and activist is focused on therapy recovery, family, and supporting the black voice, civil rights, and arts. “For me, The History of Me is my legacy. That’s what I want people to remember. I don’t need them to remember me, but I need them to read that book.”, she laughs. Inspired by the strength and passion for her people, we are hoping for another published ink from this great gem. Rest needed, but more books pleaded!